Rationale: Mixing the primary colors in different proportions creates all colors. By experimenting with different color mixes, students will have a greater understanding and knowledge of how colors are created.

Goal/Objective: Students will be able to create the three secondary colors by mixing the three primary colors.

Artistic Perception:

Students will mix different combinations of the three primary colors to create the three secondary colors.

Creative Expression

: Students will be able to create new colors by mixing two or more different colors.

Aesthetic Valuing:

Students will work with partners to identify and correctly name the colors they create.

Strategy: Direct instruction, guided discovery, and inquiry.

Vocabulary:

Mix: to combine one or more things (primary colors)

Primary colors: cyan (blue), magenta (red), yellow

Secondary colors: purple, green, orange

Procedures:

Introduction: The teacher has the three primary colors in three different containers. He/she then asks what might happen if he/she was to mix two of the colors in equal parts. The teacher then talks to the students to get them thinking about what might happen if different colors and or amounts are used. A demonstration will be given by the teacher to demonstrate how to mix colors together.

Activity Sequence:

Students will each be given a paintbrush and two sheets of paper to paint on.

Students will each be given three containers with the three primary paints.

Students will draw nine large circles on one sheet of paper and one large circle, drawn into six pie pieces, on the other sheet of paper.

Students will place a spoonful of each primary color into the first three small circles, cleaning the spoon after each transfer. (See example below). Then place a spoonful in the next circle of the color they are to mix with. This will be their mixing chart.

Red

Yellow

Blue

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+

+

Blue

Red

Yellow

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Students will mix the two primary colors to form a new secondary color in the last circle. These will be the secondary colors.

Students will then transfer the three primary colors to the large circle on the other sheet of paper in a triangle formation. Then they place the secondary colors in between the colors that made them.

The students will then locate and label the colors on their mixing chart and the color wheel.

Closure: In their groups, the students will talk about how they created their colors and what colors they used. They will also talk about how they might create other colors.

Clean Up: For clean up, one group at a time will get to go to the sink to wash out their paint containers and paint brushes, and put them away. The teacher will go around to each table with paper towels to clean up any messes on the desks, floor, or chairs. All finished paintings will be placed in an area where they can be let to dry overnight.

Evaluation: In a class discussion, the students will present their work and talk about how they made their color wheel, listening for use of the new vocabulary. The teacher will visually inspect for proper mixing and color results, and make sure the students can explain the technique they used to derive their colors.